NEW ORLEANS - The University of New Orleans athletic department formally introduced a new logo on Tuesday morning.

The logo is the fifth in the school's athletic history dating back to 1965 when the students chose to be Privateers instead of Dolphins and Panthers. The students also decided on the colors of silver and blue, which remain to this day.

The new logo replaces the face of the program that had been in place since 2004.

In addition to restoring the blue and silver colors back in a predominate role, the acronym "UNO" appears in place of the simple "NO" that appeared on the previous Privateer's hat. The department will also comply with a branding and style guide to allow for more consistency in the promotion of the department.

The new logo was created by New Orleans Hornets senior graphic designer Eddie Coe. The process of developing a new logo began in 2009 and is the culmination of a partnership between the University and the Hornets' franchise.

Each of the 12 sports sponsored by the University will utilize the new logo in 2011-12. A re-launch of the UNO athletic department web site is scheduled for the first half of the 2011 calendar year in-conjunction with NeuLion.